Fallacious Arguments In The Declaration Of Independence

Fallacious Arguments in the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is among the most profoundly interpreted and fiercely discussed documents in modern history. Most likely because of its rhetorical style and numerous fallacious arguments that are found. The colonists’ use of persuasion to influence by using repetition to achieve their means. The Declaration of Independence is what 56 colonists saw as a logical course of action. What you must ask yourself is: What was considered logical in 1776? The rhetorical style uses persuasive ideals in the use of language.

For example, in the first sentence of the second paragraph, the parallel structure and repetition of the word “that” enable the writers to articulate with excessive clarity their fundamental beliefs. The second paragraph is similar to the concluding paragraph because it also relies on parallel structure and repetition of “that” when declaring the colonies free and independent states. Also, the repetition of ‘He is,’ which is the only phrase other than ‘He has’ in the list of “complaints” shows present tense. In this case present tense leads to urgency to the need for a revolution. Which tells the audience that the only other option is, desolation, and tyranny.

There is also negative diction about the actions of the British king (George III) that carry to the emotional appeal. Finally, the prime of the last line effectively portrays the signers as heroes. Which back then where men who would risk everything to support the rights in man that was established by God. The primarily fallacious argument is that of general rule, assuming that something is true in general in every possible case. for example, the first sentence in the second paragraph that evokes a partial truth that all men are created equal. When in fact the writers mean that only white land owners were considered equal because they didn’t consider black men to be humans much less women to equal as well.

... we all should be treated the same. Women and Men must be equal in their rights and opportunities and one gender should ... . Not only Christianity but Hinduism too teaches that man and woman are of equal worth, but have different roles and responsibility because ... inferior to the man. In fact, God created both man and woman in His own image and made them equal custodians of all ...

So saying “We hold these truths… .” is ironic because it is in fact not true in their minds that all men are created equal. The second fallacious argument, as the Ad Hominem. Which is that of attacking of the person instead of the his argument. This is because the list of grievances in the second part of the document. The redundancy of “He has — ” with only judgment from the colonist point of view because of course they are not aware of the the Kings point of view because they are not the King.

Therefore, the Ad Hominem is the correct argument in this case due to the attack towards King, not his argument. The affects of the the arguments have both negative and positive outcomes depending on how you perceive them. There is the response of freedom to a “free” nation, and that is what we as Americans celebrate every Forth of July, or there is the ironic way that all Americans are now seen as equal to any other person. Either way you look at this conclusion The Declaration of Independence, fallacious or not had an impact on society once announced to the new nation and lead to our America today. In conclusion, Jefferson and the rest of the delegates did leave the an open door for the future citizens to control the government, and not visa versa. ” — That whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it…

.”.

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